We had the joy of celebrating Children’s Day here in Thailand recently. Our staff, ably assisted by our fourteen college students, organized a fun-filled day for our 107 precious children. They played games, participated in competitions, ate candies and laughed their way through all the events from early morning until they flopped down tired and content late that afternoon.
Our selection process for twenty new children is underway; we have many applicants. We have always prioritized the Cambodian/Thai children, as they are least cared for. Twenty-five percent of our children come from this tribe. We hope to increase the number of children from the Lisu tribe, and to receive two children from the extremely needy Yao tribe in the north for the first time. They are the one remaining unreached tribe in Thailand. Please pray that the children will have enough ambition and courage to come and live with us. We will then have children from every tribe in Thailand.
Our college students are doing very well. We are overjoyed to see Win Yai and Gaim build upon their relationship. He is from the Tin tribe and is studying agriculture. He plans to return to his tribe on graduation and offer his expertise to the farmers in his tribe. Gaim is a local Khmer/Thai girl. She is studying accountancy and will help change her family history forever. Our three high school seniors have registered to begin college in May. Sa-Jae, from the Karen tribe, will study veterinary science. Dear Yai will study hotel management, and Yew will study Business English. They are the first members of their families to have a college education. We love them and are very proud of them.
Witoon and Thaa offered the services of our new bailer to the farmers in the local community and made a good profit. All of the funds have been lodged to the Grace Ministries bank account. They have gained a reputation for honesty and excellence and for keeping their word to the farmers. It is the beginning of an exciting new phase in increasing our self-sufficiency.
A group of ten members of our staff and students ran the Buriram half-marathon and fun run recently. They all did well, and we are very proud of them. Charles wants to thank Bee Bee Koh for hosting him during his time in Malaysia in January.
It was a joy to meet many of our sponsors and friends, and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to preach in five churches.
Thank you to our wonderful friends and supporters for making all this possible.
Yao & Doi, Ewe & Witoon, Yoke Fong & Charles, and all of us at Grace